Credit:
Reviewed / Jonathan Chan
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jonathan Chan
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The combination of good dirt pickup and quiet operation make the 11s one of our favorite robot vacuums. Read More
The Eureka Groove NER300 is a powerful robot vacuum. It easily climbs over thresholds to transition from hardwood floors to carpet. Read More
The Roomba 694 boasts incredible pickup performance as well as simple controls. But it can get pretty rammy. Read More
In tests, it picked up a respectable 10.6 grams of dirt per run. While that’s not the best we’ve seen, it’s the only model we’ve tested that also acts as an automated Swiffer. Read More
While it cleaned 75% of the pet hair we laid out, it also got stuck on the edge of a doormat multiple times and required human aid to get it moving again. Read More
Over the years, automated floor cleaners, or robot vacuums, have become affordable for the average person. We’ve tested the best robot vacuums at every price point, and we’ve found some exceptional low-cost models.
These budget robot vacuums may not have cutting-edge cleaning technology, but not everyone needs the latest and greatest. If you’re just looking for a helping hand on your floors and carpets, these budget robot vacuums will get the job done.
Every robot vacuum on this list has undergone testing in our custom-built obstacle course, which simulates household obstacles from table legs to throw rugs. We also ensure that every robot vacuum that gets our approval can handle dirt, crumbs, and pet hair.
After evaluating dozens of entry-level models, our tests show the Eufy Robovac 11S (available at Amazon) tops the charts, both in terms of cleaning performance and value.
These are the best budget robot vacuums we tested ranked, in order.
Powerful suction
Climbs thresholds
Affordable
Bumps into furniture
Lacks barriers
Affordable
Good Cleaning
Loud
Very affordable
Stylish, comes in many colors
Gets scratched easily
Weak dirt pickup at this price point
Affordable
Good cleaning performance
Slow cleaning cycles
Poorly designed app
Hey, I'm Jon Chan, the senior lab manager at Reviewed and our resident vacuum expert. Since starting at Reviewed, I spearheaded our efforts in testing robot vacuums. When I test an automated floor cleaner, I’m interested in whether it's a good smart device, suitable for pet owners, or just a good cleaner.
Most of the tests involve our custom-made, in-house robot obstacle course. The area contains analogs for furniture legs, shelves, and thresholds. Each robot vacuum has exactly three chances to prove itself.
For the first two runs, we place cork pellets under the shelves and between the furniture legs. We let the robot vacuum loose to see how long a cleaning cycle takes, what obstacles it can clean thoroughly, whether its HEPA filters (if it has them) grab onto dust and other allergens, and the overall debris pickup performance.
For the final test run, we replace the cork with pet hair and run another test. We also consider each robot vac's battery life and build quality.
When it comes to saving money on robot vacuums, it’s about what you’re willing to sacrifice. For example, if you want a robot vacuum cleaner with excellent object avoidance, you’re probably going to get one that doesn’t clean as well because it avoids places where dirt hides. Getting one with great suction power may mean sacrificing battery life.
However, we do have some tips on how to shop for a quality robot vacuum. First, stay away from gimmick features. Things like UV sanitation are just add-ons to grab your attention.
Cheap robot vacuums tend to have more powerful suction, since their power isn’t going into the “robot” features like navigation or object avoidance. However, great suction may not be as exciting as it seems if the navigation is too poor to direct the vacuum to where it’s actually needed.
Overall, our biggest recommendation is to look for good navigation over power, and make sure the features you’re paying for are something you’ll actually use.
At first glance, you might think a robot vacuum is something that someone on a budget or fixed income shouldn’t get. However, you can get a lot of value out of a robot vacuum if you purchase the right one.
First off, it frees up more of your time from regularly cleaning your floors. A good robot vacuum helps maintain your floors between manual cleanings. If you or a loved one have mobility issues, a robot vacuum can also be a cost-effective aid to aging in place.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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